USAF keeping A-10s until 2021, eyeing future 'family of systems' approach

[Zarvan]

The USAF will mull a 'family of systems' approach to CAS as it hopes to begin retiring its A-10 fleet from about 2021. Source: US Air Force

The US Air Force (USAF) expects to keep its full fleet of Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support (CAS) aircraft for at least another four years, and then may explore a 'family of systems' approach, according to USAF Chief of Staff General David Goldfein.

"We're going to keep them until 2021, and then as a result of discussions we'll have with Secretary [of Defense Jim] Mattis and the department, and a review of all our budgets, that's what will determine the way ahead," he told reporters during a 7 February breakfast meeting.

Gen Goldfein noted that while the A-10 is a key close air support (CAS) platform, the overall CAS mission is addressed in varying ways and so replacing the A-10 is not as simple as keeping one aircraft type or replacing it with another.

For example, he noted that at the height of US operations in Afghanistan, each regional command there had different objectives and schemes of manoeuvre, so were best supported by rather different CAS platforms. In the east the USAF deployed General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc MQ-9 Reapers for endurance in mountainous terrain, in the south deployed A-10s for open fields and rolling terrain, in the north deployed Rockwell B-1B Lancer bombers for rapidly traversing longer ranges, and at times deployed Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons where needed.

"We'll get this right if we can move from a platform discussion to a family of systems discussion," he said, adding that the family could include everything from B-1s to US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). "The job of the air component commander is to knit these together" to provide CAS, the chief said.

The USAF in 2014 sought to fast-track retirement for hundreds of A-10s in order to save money for other priorities while staying within legally mandated budget limits.

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http://www.janes.com/article/67561/...2021-eyeing-future-family-of-systems-approach

 

[Penguin]

(at 3600 rpm ... hips ;-)

 

[Max Pain]

could be a seriously handy Aircraft for PAF's CAS needs that currently are served by F7P or Mirage ROSE,

THE BRRRTTTT of this Plane is exactly the type of ammo to band those Talis